The Rishis of Naimisharanya, kept pouring into the clearing that had been created in the midst of the divine forest. “Is it true?” they asked their comrades, “Is Vyasa’s student Suta amongst us today? Wonder why he has come”. The general chatter battered back and forth, spreading the news and rumour. And the Rishis kept clamoring into the forest opening. Hundreds of them!!!
Amidst all the noise, a voice, called out. Nay, the voice commanded, “To you, who live in this forest abode of Vishnu, I offer my heartfelt Pranams”. Seated by a tree was a Rishi, just like the others, suffused in a soft glow of light, his tapaagni kept under control. Sutamuni smiled at them. “But tell me, would you not like to know that there exists another place, equally captivating and sacro-sanct as this holy forest? Full of flowers and gardens, so beautiful that it even lured the God of Death into its magic.”
A stunned silence followed Suta’s words, immediately replaced by murmurs of assent gliding along the gathered Munis. ”Then gather around”, voiced Suta, “to hear in full about the grandeur of Vrishabadri”.
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| Suta Expounds the Vrishabadri mahatmya |
Thus begins the Vrishabadri Mahatmya, detailing in all glory the holy hill of Vrishabadri, with Sutamuni expounding the sanctity of the kshetra and the Rishis of Naimisharanya paying him their fullest attention.
”There was once a time when the word ‘death’ was unheard of. No one ever died, because their souls remained untarnished with the immoral issues that we know today. There was no robbery, no blasphemy and hence no punishment for them. Dharma Raja lived on earth, surrounded by the moral and dharmic conducts of the people inhabiting it. But there must be a first time for everything. One day, Dharma Raja came across a man chasing a woman, not in jest but in lust. With sudden anger, the source of which Dharma Raja couldn’t trace, he hit the man and killed him on the spot. The tainted soul sped up, happy to be separated from the body in which it had once resided.
Hearing about this incident, Shiva called Dharma Raja to Kailasha. ‘Oh Dharma, happy though I am at your conduct, it pains me to see even one man digress from the path of Dharma. This should not happen again. From today, you will be gifted with an appearance that suits you as the protector and upholder of Dharma. People should think twice before committing an immoral act. The fear of your punishment and judgement should always lead them on the right path. My blessings will always be with you.’
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| Dharma's New Form |
And Dharma Raja changed. His skin turned dark, his teeth protruded out and his eyes became red. From being fair and handsome, Dharma Raja became fearsome and spine-chilling to behold. Everywhere, people feared doing anything that was against Manu-Dharma. The frightening appearance of Dharma Raja etched into their Conscience always kept them up to their mark on morality. Shiva was pleased but Dharma was nowhere near happiness. Dharma was disheartened by his new appearance. He shunned his gift for being the dutiful upholder of Dharma.
Slowly, Dharma accepted his gifted form, but his heart still ached for his lost beauty. He was overcome by a desire to wake up every day and look into an enchantingly beautiful face, rather than his own face on the mirror. He went on a pilgrimage to get his wish fulfilled. One day, while wandering along the mountainous regions in the south of Bharathakaanda, he suddenly came into the foothills of a small mountain. At once he was charmed by the sight of colourful flowers and heady scents that called out to him. Leaving his vaahana, the buffalo, to graze, he sat down to meditate upon the Parabrahman. Ages passed and finally one day, Narayana, extremely pleased with Dharma’s prayers appeared before him. ‘Dharma Raja’ said MahaVishnu. ‘I am supremely satisfied with your worship. Ask what you please.’
With tears running down his cheeks, Dharma looked up at Vishnu. There were no words to describe what he saw. So beautiful was the sight, so gracious was Madhava’s appearance. Dharma was totally dumbstruck.”
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| Maha Vishnu Appears |
पीतांशुके पृथु-नितम्बिनि विस्फुरन्त्या
काञ्च्यालिभिर् विरुतया वन-मालया च
वल्गु-प्रकोष्ठ-वलयं विनता-सुतांसे
विन्यस्त-हस्तम् इतरेण धुनानम् अब्जम्
विद्युत्-क्षिपन्-मकर-कुण्डल-मण्डनार्ह-
गण्ड-स्थलोन्नस-मुखं मणिमत्-किरीटम्
दोर्-दण्ड-षण्ड-विवरे हरता परार्ध्य-
हारेण कन्धर-गतेन च कौस्तुभेन
अत्रोपसृष्टम् इति चोत्स्मितम् इन्दिरायाः
स्वानां धिया विरचितं बहु-सौष्ठवाढ्यम्
मह्यं भवस्य भवतां च भजन्तम् अङ्गं
नेमुर् निरीक्ष्य न वितृप्त-दृशो मुदा कैः
तस्यारविन्द-नयनस्य पदारविन्द-
किञ्जल्क-मिश्र-तुलसी-मकरन्द-वायुः
अन्तर्-गतः स्व-विवरेण चकार तेषां
सङ्क्षोभम् अक्षर-जुषाम् अपि चित्त-तन्वोः
ते वा अमुष्य वदनासित-पद्म-कोशम्
उद्वीक्ष्य सुन्दरतराधर-कुन्द-हासम्
लब्धाशिषः पुनर् अवेक्ष्य तदीयम् अङ्घ्रि-
द्वन्द्वं नखारुण-मणि-श्रयणं निदध्युः
“With His broad hips swathed in yellow robes and shining bright,
held in place by a girdle. The bees humming around the fresh garland of flowers.
His lovely wrists supporting exquisite bracelets and on Garuda’s shoulder resting
One arm as with the other arm He slowly twirled a blossomed Lotus.
Outshining lightening were the alligator shaped earrings hanging from His ears.
Enhanced by His cheek, A prominent nose, His face was crowned by a gem studded crown.
And between his four stout arms was hanging the charming, most precious
Necklace from his neck that was encrusted with the Kausthubha jewel.
In this matter of beauty even Lakshmi’s pride stood defeated at being the most beautiful.
For the beauty of Narayana was magnified by the intelligence of those who meditate on him.
That Lord who manifested thus, is worshipable by me, Maheshwara and all of you.
The sages regarded Him with unsated eyes and joyously bent down to look at His lotus feet.
And from the Lotus eyed Lord’s Lotus like feet,
The fragrance of the Tulasi sticking to His nail
Floated into the nostrils of the Sanat Kumaras who
Experienced a change both in body and mind, though attached to the impersonal Brahman.
The Lord’s face appeared like the inside of a fully bloomed blue lotus,
And looking up, His beautiful lips smiled like white jasmine flowers.
Having achieved the aim of life, the sages again looked down at His pair of feet,
The nails appeared like rubies. They took shelter in him and meditated on this form forever”
[The above verses are from the Srimad Bhagavatham Canto 3, Chapter 15, Verses 40-44. They describe the beauty of Vishnu as He appeared before SanatKumaras. Though no number of verses, by the most gifted of poets, are sufficient to completely capture His beauty, I just felt that this should be shared for us to have an inkling of what Dharma Raja experienced]
“After a long time, Dharma Raja finally found his voice. ‘Janardhana’ he cried, in ecstasy ‘What more can I ask? All I wanted was a beautiful face to feast my eyes on, as I woke up every morning. But with a few seconds of your unsurpassed beauty, you have given me enough to last an entire yuga. I have been blessed. Oh Azhaga (Beautiful One)! You must remain in this very place in this same beautiful form and I should have the supreme boon of worshipping you at least once every day.’
Vishnu granted Dharma Raja’s wish and was about to depart when suddenly Lakshmi appeared at his side. Not finding Vishnu at Vaikuntha, she was overcome with anxiety about the whereabouts of the Lord and had come at once to meet him. The Goddess of Fortune was decked with jewels, her lotus-like face in sharp contrast to the Lord’s dark body. Her eyes overflowed with compassion, Her tresses falling in perfect curls, decorated with the fragrant jasmine. Dharma Raja was struck dumb for the second time that day. ‘Maatha, Sarvanga Sundari (She who’s every body part is beautiful), I ask you with all humility, you too should stay here with Shriman Narayana and grant everyone’s wishes for wealth, both material and otherwise.’ he begged. Extremely pleased with Dharma’s devotion, Lakshmi too agreed to reside there with Vishnu.
Delighted with their consent, Dharma at once summoned Vishwakarma, the architect of the Devas, and asked him to build a Vimana in the shape of a crescent moon. Vishwakarma raised a beautiful temple to The Beautiful One and constructed the SomaChanda Vimana. Vishnu took residence in the temple as Sundararaja Perumal with Lakshmi standing by his side, holding his hand as Kalyana Sundaravalli. Dharma Raja worshipped them with much pomp and grandeur, overwhelmed by their beauty. Having achieved what he had set out for, Dharma finally returned home. It is believed that even today, the Artha Jama Pooja is performed by Dharma Raja himself as per the boon granted to him
Now, Dharma Raja is also known by another name - Vrisha. Since Vrisha had meditated on Narayana at that kshetra, the place is called Vrishabadri (The Mountain of Vrisha). Since Vishnu had appeared to Vrisha in his divya-soundarya roopa, he is fondly addressed to as Azhaga and the hills are more famously known as Azhagar Malai. The place is blessed with lush forests, peace loving animals and rich lands, all fed by the ever perennial river, Silambar (River of the Anklet).
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| Trivikrama, with his feet being worshipped by Brahma |
When Vishnu as Vamana, had asked Bali Chakravarthy to grant him 3 paces of land, Bali had readily agreed. With Bali’s word given, Vishnu then assumed his Trivikrama Roopa, covering all of earth with one stride and all of the heavens with another. When the tender toes of Vishnu tore open the clouds, reaching up to the heavens, Brahma was very excited to see them. Wasn’t this the same foot that all the Rishis and Gods have yearned to see for eternity? Even after several million years of penance, even the best of the Devas don’t get to see it. Considering himself blessed, Brahma sprinkled water from his kamandala onto the toes of Vishnu and offered his prayers. Suddenly the toe rings (Noopura) of Vishnu shook ever so slightly in the breeze and a few drops of water spilt earthwards. These are the very drops which run as the Silambar today and due to its origin the river is also called Noopura Ganga. To touch the river is a blessing, to drink its water is Dharma and to bathe in it is Moksha.
I think I have said enough, Oh Brothers. It is for you to actually go to the place and experience the divine feeling that Dharma and many others have been blessed with. Don’t you think the place is worth a visit?” finished Suta Muni.
The soul stirring narration of Sutamuni, infused a divine light into the listening Rishis of Naimisharanya. They all unanimously decided that this place where the divine river flows is definitely worth a pilgrimage and they scattered immediately to ready themselves for a long journey south.
“Then, may the lord of Vrishabadri protect us all. Om Namo Narayanaya!!!” intoned Suta, ending his holy narration, and preparing himself for the journey.
Months later, they finally arrived at the foot hills of Vrishabadri, having visited various Theerthas and Kshetras on their way. And guess what? The controlled senses of the Rishis were no match for the glorious surroundings that had captured even Dharma’s attention with their beauty. Enchanted by the serenity and the divine aura of the place, the Rishis decided to stay over there and perform tapas unto the supreme Lord, Padmanabha. They set up a vast ashrama at the foot hills, by the holy Silambar, and performed yagnas, poojas and tapas, praying for the welfare of the world. Vrishabadri was further sanctified by the presence of these pristine souls. It's fame spread further and people came in greater numbers to worship Narayana and the Rishis alike, to be blessed with wealth, health and happiness.
And thus ends the Vrishabadri Mahatmya, the main literary source that details the legend of Azhagar Kovil. But this alone can never do justice to that Kshetra and neither can I in just a single post. The glory of this Kshetra will be continued in further posts. Till then may we immerse ourselves in His beauty and charm.
मेघश्यामं पीतकौशेयावासं
श्रीवत्साङ्कं कौस्तुभोद्भासितांगं |
पुण्योपेतं पुण्डरीकायताक्षं
विष्णुम वन्दे सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ||
“Hued like the dark rain bearing cloud,
Swathed in bright and shiny yellow silks,
With the Shrivathsa on the chest and
The limbs shining due to the Kausthubha jewel,
He who is always surrounded by the blessed,
And who has eyes open like a lotus
Oh Vishnu, I bow to you,
The Lord of all the worlds”
-Vishnu Sahasranamam
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